Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Israeli Hard Ball

In response to President Obama's Middle East policies, Israeli Minister-without-Portfolio Yossi Peled proposed his country sanction the US. The Jerusalem Postreported:

The minister suggests reconsidering military and civilian purchases from the US, selling sensitive equipment that Washington opposes distributing internationally, and allowing other countries that compete with the US to get involved with the peace process and be given a foothold for their military forces and intelligence agencies.

Peled said that shifting military acquisition to America's competition would make Israel less dependent on the US. For instance, he suggested buying planes from the France-based Airbus firm instead of the American Boeing.

In what may be his most controversial suggestion, Peled recommends intervening in American congressional races to weaken Obama and asking American Jewish donors not to contribute to Democratic congressional candidates. He predicted that this would result in Democratic candidates pressuring Obama to become more pro-Israel.

Peled called for the formation of a new body intended to influence American public opinion. The groups he suggests courting include Hispanic Americans and Labor unions in industries that benefit from Israeli military acquisitions.

If this is how Israel treats its best friend, I'd hate to see how it abuses enemies. When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail? Can the U.S. not give Obama's promised $2.77 billion in military aid?